LASA Praises Government for Removing Commonwealth Building Certification Process

Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) has praised the Abbott Government for listening to LASA members and removing the Commonwealth building certification process.
As an area already covered by state and territory building codes this constitutes a positive step in the Government’s ‘red-tape’ reduction program.
LASA CEO, Patrick Reid said while quality care and the safety of vulnerable older Australians is paramount, age services is the most regulated industry with many areas of nuisance regulation and spurious compliance that do not improve quality, safety or outcomes for older Australians and in the case of building certification, is total duplication of an existing process.
“LASA has engaged in ongoing advocacy that has included current Ministers responsible for aged care, Kevin Andrews and Mitch Fifield, providing both with a comprehensive red tape list from our provider members, feeding into the coalition process both before and since forming government. “Age service providers deliver quality care 24 hours a day 7 days a week. "With continued growth their job is not difficult. "Reducing red tape that is burdensome and does not positively impact on the delivery of care and services makes sense and should be congratulated.
“LASA is confident that the Senate will also see the wisdom in removing the Commonwealth building certification process understanding that unnecessary red tape places avoidable pressure aged care workers. “LASA looks forward to continuing the process for red tape reductions and removal of unnecessary regulation, standing ready to provide pragmatic and salient advice to government and stakeholders.”